Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Knowing your weight and height is enough to calculate your body mass indicator

You’ve been using our fat calculator in your droves, working out your BMI( body mass index) and comparing the result with people in your age group and your part of the UK.

But a few people have been critical. They say employing BMI to measure whether they are healthy, overweight or obese is misleading.

So what’s the truth? Can we trust what it tells us?

Is BMI the best measure of obesity?

Firstly, it is a quick and easy way of working out whether you are in the healthy category by use two simple measures – weight and height.

Most physicians say it is the best method they have, it’s pretty accurate, can be measured simply in clinic and is acceptable to patients.

“It works in the vast majority of people, the vast majority of time, ” says Prof Naveed Sattar, from the University of Glasgow.

“If two people are the same height and one has a BMI of 25 and the other a BMI of 40, then excess body fat is the reason.”

Measuring BMI is also much more accurate and potentially less embarrassing than measuring someone’s waist circumference, which is also a good guide.

BMI is calculated by dividing an adult’s weight by the square of their height.

Your browser does not support this lookup.

Cannot retrieve data.

Your BMI

Your BMI is[ bmi_result] which is in the[ bmi_category] category.

Healthy Overweight Obese Very obese Underweight 30 40 18.5 25

Healthy Overweight Obese Very obese Under- weight 30 40 18.5 25

BMI is a standard way of measuring if people are a healthy weight for their height. For most adults 18.5 to 24.9 is the healthy range.

Your age group

Your BMI is[ comparative] the average of[ bmi_score] for a[ gender_singular] in your age group ([ user_age_group ]) in[ user_country ].

About[ percent ]% of[ gender_plural] in your age group in[ user_country] are overweight, obese or very obese.

0%

Underweight

0%

Healthy

0%

Overweight

0%

Obese

0%

Very obese

Percentages were not able to sum to 100 due to rounding

Your part of the UK

In all parts of the UK, the majority of the adult population is overweight, obese or very obese, according to the latest national surveys.

In[ region ], the figure is about[ percentage ]% of[ gender_plural ].

North East

50%

West Mids

50%

Scotland

50%

East Mids

50%

Yorks& Humb

50%

N. Ireland

50%

North West

50%

South East

50%

South West

50%

East

50%

Wales

50%

London

50%

50%

Wales BMI data is gatherered through self measurement so may be an underestimate

What does this mean for you?

The information you’ve given us indicates you could be underweight.

There can be health risks associated with a low BMI such as anaemia, osteoporosis, a weakened immune system and fertility problems.

This is not a medical diagnostic tool so don’t panic if this isn’t the result you were expecting to see.

If you’re concerned about your weight, or your health in general, speak to a healthcare professional such as your GP.

Follow the links for more information and advice on what to do if you’re underweight 😛 TAGEND NHS advice for underweight adults BEAT eating disorder Healthy recipes and notions from BBC Food Practical tips on how to eat well Get inspired by these people’s journeys to fitness Exercise that works for you Practical tips-off on how to eat well Free 12 week diet and exert scheme BBC Food’s low calorie recipes Get inspired by these people’s journeys to fitness Exercise that works for you Practical tips on how to eat well Free 12 week diet and exercise plan BBC Food’s low calorie recipes Get inspired by these people’s journeys to fitness Exercise that works for you Practical tips on how to eat well Free 12 week diet and exert plan BBC Food’s low calorie recipes Get inspired by these people’s journeys to fitness Image caption Some professional rugby players will be classed as obese because of their high muscle mass – but this is rare determine the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips wrap a tape measure around your waist midway between these points breathe out naturally before taking the measurement

Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?
Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?
Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?
Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?
Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?

Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?

Can We Trust BMI To Measure Obesity?